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INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts have released their first depth chart of the 2019 season, ahead of Thursday’s preseason opener.
While most of the depth chart is status quo, there are a couple of interesting notes.
Here is a look at the ‘official’ depth chart and some takeaways from what we’ve seen at Training Camp:
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
Quarterbacks: Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Phillip Walker, Chad Kelly
Bowen’s Analysis: If we are going deep into the depth chart, Walker should be ahead of Kelly right now.
Running Backs: Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, Jordan Wilkins, Jonathan Williams, Keith Ford
Bowen’s Analysis: With Spencer Ware gone, this is the main order we’ve seen through the first week and change of camp.
Wide Receiver: T.Y. Hilton, Chester Rogers, Parris Campbell*, Reece Fountain, Steve Ishmael, Penny Hart*, Jordan Veasy
Bowen’s Analysis: Rogers ahead of Campbell is how it should be after 9 practices. Rogers has been the starting slot wide receiver in every single practice, while Campbell has missed 5 straight days with a right hamstring injury.
Wide Receiver: Devin Funchess, Zach Pascal, Marcus Johnson, Deon Cain, Krishawn Hogan, Ashton Dulin*, Roger Lewis
Bowen’s Analysis: Some might be surprised to see Cain so low, but that’s how the Colts have handled their team drills so far at camp. If Cain continues to get back into the flow and produces in preseason games, he’s going to rise.
Tight End: Eric Ebron, Ross Travis, Zach Conque
Bowen’s Analysis: A hamstring injury has limited Travis this camp, which isn’t aiding his cause to round out a deep tight end group.
Tight End: Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox, Gabe Holmes, Hale Hentges*
Bowen’s Analysis: Doyle has been a bit banged up as of late, so Alie-Cox has seen significant starting action. Hentges, an undrafted free agent, has made a few plays.
Left Tackle: Anthony Castonzo, Le’Raven Clark, Jackson Barton*, J’Marcus Webb
Bowen’s Analysis: Clark has actually looked like the backup at both tackle spots, based off how the Colts lined up when Anthony Castonozo missed a practice, and then when Braden Smith sat out.
Left Guard: Quenton Nelson, Evan Boehm, Ian Silberman
Bowen’s Analysis: Boehm has received many more reps as a backup guard, versus a backup center so far.
Center: Ryan Kelly, Josh Andrews, Evan Boehm, Daniel Munyer
Bowen’s Analysis: It’s been Andrews, over Boehm, as the recent starter with Kelly (shoulder) missing the past few days. But Andrews had to be helped off the field near the end of Sunday’s practice.
Right Guard: Mark Glowinski, Jake Eldrenkamp
Bowen’s Analysis: Eldrenkamp was signed late in the spring and he actually took the reps at center on Sunday, once Andrews left practice.
Right Tackle: Braden Smith, Joe Haeg, Antonio Garcia
Bowen’s Analysis: Garcia has lined up as a second-team left tackle for a good part of camp, but he’s suspended for the first four games of the regular season. Haeg continues to be moved all over the line.
DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
Left Defensive End: Jabaal Sheard, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Ben Banogu*, Carroll Phillips, Dadi Nicolas
Bowen’s Analysis: Muhammad has been the most frequent starter for the injured Sheard. Banogu has now missed a week of practice due to a hamstring injury.
Defensive Tackle: Denico Autry, Jihad Ward, Caraun Reid, Sterling Shippy*
Bowen’s Analysis: It’s odd not to see Tyquan Lewis as a backup three-technique. The Colts have long stated that they want Lewis to be used in that role, as he only weighs 277 pounds.
Nose Tackle: Tyquan Lewis, Margus Hunt, Grover Stewart
Bowen’s Analysis: It’s even more odd to see Lewis ahead of Hunt as the starting nose. When everyone is healthy on the defensive line, the Colts have had Hunt and Autry as the top two defensive linemen. This is probably the biggest head scratcher of the depth chart.
Right Defensive End: Justin Houston, Kemoko Turay, Gerri Green*, Obum Gwacham
Bowen’s Analysis: Turay has returned to practice after missing 4 sessions and is probably the best pure speed rusher on the team.
WILL Linebacker: Darius Leonard, EJ Speed*
Bowen’s Analysis: Duh.
MIKE Linebacker: Anthony Walker, Bobby Okereke*, Ahmad Thomas
Bowen’s Analysis: This starting battle, between Walker and Okereke is back on as we reach the second half of camp.
SAM Linebacker: Matthew Adams, Zaire Franklin, Skai Moore
Bowen’s Analysis: E.J. Speed should be thrown over to this position as well, with the Colts seeing if the rookie can sneak his way into a base package starting role. Adams took the early starting reps at camp, but that’s dwindled big time as of late.
Cornerback: Kenny Moore, Quincy Wilson, Shakai Taylor*, Jalen Collins
Bowen’s Analysis: Seeing Taylor ahead of Collins is notable. Taylor has made some plays, but Collins hasn’t looked like a 4th string corner in camp.
Cornerback: Pierre Desir, Rock Ya-Sin*, Nate Hairston, Marvell Tell*, Chris Milton
Bowen’s Analysis: Is Milton’s presence on special teams enough to supplant the guys ahead of him on the 53-man roster?
Strong Safety: Clayton Geathers, Khari Willis*, Matthias Farley, Rolan Milligan
Bowen’s Analysis: Willis is the 3rd safety right now, starting next to Malik Hooker when the Colts have rested Geathers.
Free Safety: Malik Hooker, George Odum, Derrick Kindred, Isaiah Johnson
Bowen’s Analysis: Odum is a favorite to make this team but finding a 5th safety is something to monitor this month.
Specialists: LS-Luke Rhodes, P-Rigoberto Sanchez, K-Adam Vinatieri, K-Cole Hedlund*
Bowen’s Analysis: This group returns in-tact for a third straight season, with the addition of a rookie camp leg to help out the 46-year-old Vinatieri.
Kick Return: Zach Pascal, Nyheim Hines
Bowen’s Analysis: We’ve also seen Marlon Mack and Chester Rogers return some kicks this camp.
Punt Return: Chester Rogers
Bowen’s Analysis: The Colts went with just one name on the punt return depth chart spot. Honestly, Rogers is the far superior punt return candidate based off the other options we’ve seen at camp (Zach Pascal, Parris Campbell and Nyheim Hines).
*Rookie
